MMA Instructors

INSTRUCTOR: KEN WALKER -1st Degree Black Belt

My journey into the martial arts world began in 1971 as a result of my utter fascination with martial art movies. I was captivated by movies like Five Fingers of Death, the 36th Chamber of Shaolin, and the Fist of Fury (just to mention a few).

Note: Questions that one must ask, what is real Martial Arts?

Due to a number of factors, I had very little knowledge of martial arts at that time (except of what I saw at the movies). I enrolled in the local martial arts dojo but became quickly disenchanted with standing in a horse stance and punching into the air. After a year of this I tried my hand in judo and later boxing. I enjoyed these especially because they were more dynamic and realistic. However I knew that I felt unbalanced and desired more.

In 1982 I moved to California and came across a very talented, yet very humble martial arts instructor by the name of Sifu Ted Lucaylucay. It was through Ted’s teaching and friendship that I became serious about martial arts and developed a respect for numerous other systems in the martial arts world. I studied with Sifu Ted (via private lessons) for a couple of years and grew both as a budding martial artist and a person.

Years later, my job transferred me to another part of LA County were I had the opportunity to study with Sifu Ted’s instructors Dan Inosanto and Richard Bustillo. It was here that I had a chance to meet some (other) very gifted, very talented individuals who inspired me to train harder and smarter. As a police officer I was able to quickly determine what works (and answer the followings questions)!

Q. What is real training?

Q. What type of training does one need for real life situations?

Q. What is MMA?

Once again I experienced another job transfer which gave me the opportunity to learn from yet another gifted martial artist, Sifu Cass Magda. Sifu Cass, like Sifu Ted was trained at IMB by Dan Inosanto and Richard Bustillo. What I learned from these Sifus was eye opening and life changing.

It was during this time and shortly after that I began body guard work and teachings others self defense (along with my regular job as a police officer). I mention this only because many who teach today have no real life experience (in defending themselves or others). This is like the person who has never been in the water trying to teach someone how to swim.

I heard Sifu Bustillo sharing an example that he heard Bruce Lee use describe it this way; “to learn to swim you have to get in the water, to learn to fight you have to fight.”

Now please don’t misunderstand what I am saying. I am not suggesting going out there and fight but am rather saying, if you were looking for a great hamburger, would you ask a vegetarian? The obvious answer is no, yet people do this all the time when selecting a martial arts schools.

My journey into the world of the martial arts did not stop there. I moved to Texas and came across a martial arts instructor by the name of Sifu Bruce Foster. Sifu Foster, is a 7th Degree Black Belt in Wu Wei Gung Fu under Sifu Joseph Cowles. Sifu Cowles was one of Bruce Lee’s original students.

Sifu Foster helped augment my martial arts by instructing me and enhancing my ground work in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Through him I also learned Small Circle Jiu-Jitsu, Krav Maga, and Sambo.

There are a lot of great schools (and teachers) out there. In fact, martial arts has grown and developed more in the last ten to fifteen years than it had in the previous thousand.

EXPERIENCE:

I would like to thank the many people and organizations that have been instrumental in my journey of martial art/combat discovery, this includes: Ted Lucaylucay, LAPD, LAPD SWAT Team, Dan Inosanto, Rich Bustillo, Cass Magda, Ted Wong, Steve Plinck, and Bruce Foster (just to mention a few).

Thanks! For through them:

I learned the beauty and effectiveness of Western Boxing

I learned the trapping hands of Wing Chun.

I learned the basics of JKD

I learned Kali (both empty and with weapons)

I learned Thai Kick Boxing.

I learned gun take-aways, knife disarms, etc

I learned the JKD skills of Entering to Trapping to Grappling.

I learned the basics of Brazilian Jui-Jitsu.

I learned become aware of my surroundings without fear

I learned how to survive and win from guard.

I learned the trapping hands of Pentjak Silat

I learned advanced takeaways and counters.

I learned the finger locks of Small Circle Jujitsu.

I learned advanced mount attacks.

I learned how to effectively pass the guard.

I learned the details of juji-gatame.

I learned the leg lock systems of Sambo.

I learned Bruce Lee’s Jun Fan Gung Fu system.

I learned the Goshen Jujitsu system.

I learned the joint lock and choking flows of Honbu Jujitsu.

I learned the sticky hands of chi-sau.

I learned Chop-Choy-Gway-Choy entering moves.

I learned the pushing hands of Tai-Chi.

I learned how to defend against any kick.

I learned judo groundwork, throws, and counters.

I learned how to be an effective body guard.

I learned the locks of Hapkido, Aikido and Kali

I learned the foot work of Boxing and JKD

I learned the foot work of Pentjak Silat

I learned that combat is never fixed

I learned that the martial artist must be fluid/ever changing and evolving

I learned the four ranges of attack: kicking, punching, trapping and grappling

2 Responses to MMA Instructors

Hey Ken. I just discovered your site tonight and had a few questions. I read through your FAQ’s, but I was curious still. I am not in the best physical shape, I am 19 years old about 6’1 and about 140lbs, so I am on the underweight side, but looks are deceiving and I know and I am a lot stronger than I look . But will my weight prohibit me from going to train at your club? I also was curious about private lessons along with group lessons. I just wanted to know about how much per month a mix of private and group lessons would cost, or even just private lessons on its own.

Also just to let you know a bit about myself, I am currently residing in Long Island, NY but I will be moving to Fort Worth, Texas in about a month to go to school and live with my mother for the year. I wanted to finally get myself physically fit, and I have wanted to learn the art of protecting myself and others for years, but I always made the pitiful excuse of “I have no time.” Well I finally have time now, I will be working, going to school, and that is pretty much it. So now I can finally do what I’ve put off for so many years. Get back to me whenever you can, and thanks for your time.
Also if you could send me some pictures of your facility I would greatly appreciate that.
-Mike

The prices for lessons are on the website. I’ve tried to keep the prices reasonable and affordable. You asked about private lessons. I’m trying to stay away from private lessons because they are unaffordable for most people but the price is $65/hr. What I have attempted to do is, instead of giving privates is to create a time slot for at least two people (or more) to study, so no one has to go deeper in their pockets than they need to. I hope that helps.